When applying for financing, your business plan is your best friend. Though especially important for start-ups, businesses at every stage should have a road map indicating where they’re heading. It is your chance to prove, in writing, that you know your business inside and out.

As a successful female entrepreneur, you may have to fight harder than your male counterparts to start and grow your business. You know the playing field isn’t always level. In fact, while women are starting more businesses than the national average (74% vs. 51%), they are starting their businesses with half as much capital as men.

Manufacturing is one of the most innovative and diverse industries today. Streamlined processes and new technology have transformed the landscape; yet attracting qualified candidates remains a challenge.

While there are no legal definitions in the United States for predatory lending, an audit report on predatory lending from the Office of Inspector General of the FDIC broadly defines predatory lending as “imposing unfair and abusive loan terms on borrowers.”

Connect2Capital® is powered by Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF).

CRF, a national non-profit community development financial institution, is a leader in bringing capital to underserved people and communities. Since 1988, CRF has injected more than $2.4 billion into communities in 48 states across the country to help stimulate job creation and economic development, provide affordable housing, and support community facilities.